By Nasser Kayanja
The Inter-Religious Council of Uganda (IRCU) has called on the government to recognize and support local herbal medicine innovator Prof. David Ssenfuka, citing growing public testimonies about the effectiveness of his herbal treatment for diabetes and hypertension.
The appeal was made by Rt. Rev. Bishop Joshua Lwere, the retired Overseer of the National Fellowship of Born Again Pentecostal Churches of Uganda and a co-leader of the IRCU, during a briefing at the council’s offices in Kampala.
Bishop Lwere said many Ugandan innovators continue to face challenges due to limited financial support, forcing some to abandon or sell their innovations abroad. He cited Dr. Ogwang, the developer of COVIDEX, as an example of an innovator who benefited from government support, and contrasted this with other researchers whom he said were unable to fully develop their innovations because of inadequate backing.
He appealed to President Yoweri Museveni to ensure that Prof. Ssenfuka receives the necessary financial and institutional support to further develop his herbal medicine, arguing that innovations with the potential to improve public health should be nurtured within the country.
Prof. Ssenfuka said his herbal medicine has shown promising results in managing diabetes and hypertension, but noted that lack of funding has slowed its development and wider accessibility. He expressed confidence in the Inter-Religious Council’s efforts to help facilitate a meeting with the President to discuss support for the project.
The IRCU emphasized the importance of investing in homegrown innovations, saying they have the potential to strengthen Uganda’s healthcare system and contribute to national development if adequately supported.